Cunningham ready to be king of taekwondo four next four years. GETTY IMAGES

British Taekwondo athlete Caden Cunningham, who finished runner-up in the +80 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, had a bold statement after his final bout in Paris.

"If I work very hard and I stay with this, I'll be the king of taekwondo for the next four years, no problem,” said Cunningham. 

Responding to talk of his new nickname of 'king' Cunningham said “I’ve seen it in places and had a lot of comments on it. I think I’m going to stick with it.” 

Cunningham also spoke about his loss to Iran’s Arian Salimi in the +80 kg category taekwondo final of the Paris 2024 Summer Games. 

“The athlete I was against was simply better. I had to try and get my points, he fought very hard and came out the victor,” said the 21-year-old British athlete. “I did not bring home the gold but went through four very tough fights.”

Team GB's Caden Cunningham competes in the taekwondo +80 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. GETTY IMAGES
Team GB's Caden Cunningham competes in the taekwondo +80 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. GETTY IMAGES

Cunningham had the toughest draw having to face Rio 2016 silver medallist and 2017 World champion Abdoul Razak Issoufou of Niger, Cuba's Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist and 2013 and 2019 World champion Rafael Alba and Rio 2016 champion and 2023 World champion Cheick Sallah Cissé of Cote d'Ivoire on his way to the final.

“I took out three World Champions and three Olympic medallists. It was an amazing day of competition, no matter what the medal was,” added Cunningham.

“My motivation is to train hard and kick people in the face. I enjoy fighting. This my happy place,” concluded the athlete.